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chapter 4

Tifa awoke the next day and yawned. She felt the sun shining in through her window and onto her face. She went to stretch but noticed she couldn't. She opened her eyes and came face to face with Rufus. She was confused at first and then remembered last night and blushed bright red. She quickly looked under the covers and blushed a deeper red, yes she remembered everything. She snuggled up closer to Rufus and looked at his sleeping face. She wasn't ashamed of what she did and she didn't regret any of it. She knew she loved him so it felt right. She just hoped he felt the same. Rufus slowly opened his eyes and came face to face with Tifa. He was slightly puzzled and then remembered last night. Rufus smiled at her and put his hand on her cheek being careful not to press too hard on her cut.

"Rufus, you don't regret anything do you?" Tifa asked slowly. She was slightly afraid of what he may say.

"Yes I do, I regret not meeting you sooner." Rufus said.

Tifa smiled up at him and kissed him. She stood up and walked into her bathroom. She wanted to stay with Rufus but knew they couldn't spend all day in bed. She turned on the shower and carefully stepped in. She let all traces of last night wash down the drain; she still had some tender spots that hurt slightly to the touch. She hissed under her breath when the water hit her slashed cheek, it burned.

After a while she stepped out of the shower and came face to face with Rufus. Tifa blushed and he kissed her good cheek. He stepped into the shower after her and turned it on. Tifa dried her hair and changed into her clothes. She sat on her bed and wondered to herself, how long could they keep this up? How much longer before the discovered Rufus was here? What will happen to them? Will they be forced apart? Tifa held her head in her hands and began to sob quietly to herself.

Rufus walked out the shower and changed into his white pants and black t-shirt. He walked into Tifa's room and saw her sitting on the bed, she looked upset. Rufus walked over to her and hugged her gently.

"What's wrong?" Rufus asked.

"Rufus...how long do you honestly think we can keep this up?" Tifa said slowly not looking him in the eyes.

"Tifa, what are you saying?" Rufus asked shocked.

"Rufus, I love you. Probably more then anything else. But how long before you're taken away from me and back to your father?! Being together like this will only pain both of us more if we're forced apart! Don't you understand?! We can't be together..." Tifa yelled trying not to cry.

"Tifa...I'd rather spend a few hours with you, then face all this world has to offer alone." Rufus said holding her in his arms.

"Rufus, I love you," Tifa said. "And even if we're forced apart, remember someone always loves you for you. Promise me you'll never be like your father. That you'll never be as hateful and rule people with money. Please, that isn't who you are." Tifa pleaded.

"I promise, I'll never be like my father. I love you Tifa; I want to stay with you forever." Rufus said and he kissed her gently. Tifa kissed back and smiled lightly up at him.

She reluctantly stood up and walked into her bar, she had to at least open it up. As she walked to unlock the door someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. She heard her windows crash as members of SOLDIER jumped through them. A Turk followed in through the door. Tifa noticed the Turk holding her right away, it was the Turk from the other day, but the Turk that just walked in, she didn't know who that was.

"Rufus Shinra! We know you're in here so come out willingly or we shoot the girl!" The Turk yelled that was holding Tifa and pointed a gun to her head.

Rufus ran out and looked on in horror. Several men from SOLDIER had guns aimed at him and two Turks were there, one with Tifa at gunpoint. He wouldn't let Tifa get hurt because of him; he'd never let that happen. He hated his father for doing this, why did his father have to hurt the people that loved him? Rufus slowly began to step closer.

"Let her go." Rufus said in a threatening tone.

"Now now young Shinra, be more polite than that. We wouldn't want this pretty young lady to be hurt do we?" The Turk taunted, pressing the gun closer to the side of her head.

"Fine, I'll go with you. Just don't hurt her!" Rufus pleaded.

The Turk smirked at Rufus. "That's a good boy. Your father's waiting outside."

The Turk dragged Tifa outside and Rufus followed. The men from SOLDIER walked out after Rufus making sure he didn't try anything. Rufus saw his father step out of a large limo and walk up to him.

"Vincent, why don't you show this young lady what we do to those who keep things from Shinra?" The president said looking to the other Turk that wasn't holding Tifa. The Turk didn't look too happy about hitting a young girl and at first reluctantly looked at her scared pleading eyes. But orders were orders.

"Tifa no!" Rufus yelled out to her as his father pushed him into the limo.

Rufus watched from the back window as Vincent punched Tifa in the stomach knocking her unconscious. Rufus yelled after her but his father pulled him away. Rufus felt wet tears role down his face, he covered his face in hands and started to cry. He hated crying, he'd cried over his father too much. Rufus stopped crying suddenly and his face turned to stone. He hated being weak; it always got him hurt. His father looked at him as they drove away with a smirk on his face.

"Now son, you will come home with me. You will forget that girl and if you ever do anything like that again so help me I'll have you shot like your mother!" His father yelled.

"Whatever you fat fucking piece of shit." Rufus said coldly, just looking forward, not at his father.

His father didn't say anything, just grunted. Rufus found himself remembering Tifa, everything from her wonderful laugh to her beautiful face. Rufus then and there made a vow to himself. From that day on Rufus Shinra never cried or wept. But he knew he'd keep his promise to his first love. He'd never be like his father, no, he hated him too much. He wouldn't rule the world with money. He'd run it in fear. Even to his death, maybe then he'd meet up with her again, his love.

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